I have come to understand that the world is only as ordinary as I chose it to be. It's a choice between taking the world for granted, assuming I know enough about a thing, and engaging the rare vision from 'seeing again'. Established in 1999, Gan Malibu provides a unique educational experience that nurtures the skills, emotional growth, character and spiritual development of children.
As a Reggio Emilia-influenced preschool, we are committed to building a strong educational foundation for our children through play, experience, creating, social collaboration, and exploration. From our infants to our preschoolers, everyone is exposed to a world full of music, art, and nature. We strongly believe in fostering children's natural curiosity to inspire learning.
As a Reggio Emilia-influenced preschool, we are committed to building a strong educational foundation for our children through play, experience, creating, social collaboration, and exploration. From our infants to our preschoolers, everyone is exposed to a world full of music, art, and nature. We strongly believe in fostering children's natural curiosity to inspire learning.
Services
We offer a positive learning environment with an emergent and open curriculum based on the dynamic interests of your child and you, their family. Gan Malibu celebrates the unique contribution of each child to the group. We believe that your child will best acquire knowledge through their experiences, and that infants learn most effectively when actively engaged in the process.
Gan Malibu offers small classes with individualized attention and encourages open-ended exploration between the children and our school environment. Our program promotes your child's intellectual, social, physical, and emotional growth. We first get to know your child as an individual and partner with you to create a supportive, nourishing, and challenging curriculum.
Emphasizing the needs of both parents and students, this program helps you and your child learn with our teachers how to best meet your child's changing needs. Sing, dance, laugh and play by exploring musical instruments and experimenting with rhythm and rhyme. Traditional melodies blend with modern contemporary stories and songs; share the joys of movement and music with early childhood educator and professional musician Ditza Zakay.
Parents are a vital component and contributors to the schools philosophy. Parents are encouraged to involve themselves in every aspect of the curriculum. Teachers, parents and children collaborate in activities such as holidays, fund raisers and special events. When parents and teachers work together it creates a supportive educational environment where a child can thrive.
Submit application: After touring the school you will receive a link to our online application form. Please submit your application together with the $100 application fee. Acceptance: When you are offered a confirmed spot in our school, a non-refundable deposit in the amount of two month's tuition is required in order to reserve that spot.
Reviews (13)
Aj S.
Jan 21, 2022
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I could not have dreamt of a better preschool. The combination of Montessori and Reggio Emilia is exactly what I was looking for. The teachers are loving and practice positive parenting techniques. The children listen to them! The activities are unique and creative. The other parents are warm and fun to see at drop off and pick up. We are a big family at this school and look out for eachother. I highly recommend this environment to new families in Malibu.
Eddie M.
Jul 18, 2021
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This school was the best thing that happened to my family. 2 months into my daughter starting there, our house burned down. The staff came and visited us and really made us feel warm with gifts. I went out of my way 40 mins each way to make sure she continued there while we rebuilt. For the last 3 years this school has been the constant in my daughter's life, and truly helping raise her with us. We feel like we are part of the Gan Malibu family. My other daughter will be starting in Aug. Highly recommend it to all.
Bless their teachers!
Bless their teachers!
Sara L.
Jan 07, 2020
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What a wonderful place for the little ones to grow and learn through play and exploration! This will be my son's third year here. I love the scenic setting - the unobstructed iconic postcard-like view of the Pacific Ocean and the Malibu pier makes you feel like the sky is literally the limit :) I often observe children paint , make art , peacefully play and talk to each other while looking at the ocean - this makes me so happy . I also love that this is a mixed age environment. I remember when my son started at 2 years of age - older kids treated him like their little brother , they were teaching
Mrs. L.
Jun 11, 2019
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Look no further! This is hands down the best preschool in Malibu! My daughter grew so much in a positive way since being at Gan. Sarah is the most incredible lady and so welcoming. All the kids play so well together there and you get updates about what your child is doing with pictures. Your child will learn about different cultures, do amazing art projects and if you're lucky go to the underwood farm to pick vegetables. I can't say enough about this school!
Ray S.
Apr 04, 2019
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I can not say enough good things about this school. I started my infant in the infant center and my then 1 year old took to the teachers and the environment instantly. They have an amazing app and are so good about sending updates on what is going on all day long with your baby. Eating sleeping pooping and in detail! Then when my son turned 2 we moved him to the older preschool section. The transition went smoothly and he was happy! Everybody who works there is professional, attentive and most importantly loving and sweet with the children. The space is beautiful with the most breath taking view
Heather W.
Jul 01, 2018
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We have had our daughter at Gan's Infant Center for six months -- since she was four months old -- and have had a fantastic experience. Her teachers are warm, caring, and knowledgeable, and she gets lots of individual attention. The space is beautiful with development-oriented toys, and she spends tons of time outside (her favorite place). Sarah and the staff keep us well-informed about both her and the school. As a working mom, I greatly appreciate that I can spend my time focused on my job completely confident that she is in a loving, safe, educational environment.
Levi C.
Jun 27, 2018
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Two of our children are at Gan Malibu. They have amazing loving and caring teachers, a beautiful natural atmosphere and we love their unique and advanced approach to early childhood development. They keep us in the loop with constant pictures and updates. Our children at super happy with Gan Malibu!
Shereen T.
Dec 28, 2016
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I am honestly kind of obsessed with this preschool. I don't even live in Malibu, but I commute to bring my daughter here because it is my favorite preschool that I have ever seen (and dear Lord did I see a lot). I searched all over Santa Monica, far and wide and was getting frustrated with the pretentious attitudes, the long wait lists, or the insane tuition. Gan Malibu was a dream come true. Not only is it much more reasonably priced, but I literally feel like I am leaving my kid at a gorgeous resort ever time we go. I know that not only is she safe, and cared for, but that she is going to
Kat C.
Jun 17, 2016
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Gan Malibu recently started offering infant care and we were very blessed to have found them.
Cory and Jackie are the primary care teachers and they both are wonderful. They send pictures daily so we get to know how our baby is doing.
The infant side of the school is very new so every week they are adding new things to enrich the environment. Every Tuesday there is a science class and Thursday a music lesson. My daughter loves music a lot so this is even better for her.
The school puts a lot of thoughts into incorporating the family and holidays. On mothers day I received a card with my baby
Cory and Jackie are the primary care teachers and they both are wonderful. They send pictures daily so we get to know how our baby is doing.
The infant side of the school is very new so every week they are adding new things to enrich the environment. Every Tuesday there is a science class and Thursday a music lesson. My daughter loves music a lot so this is even better for her.
The school puts a lot of thoughts into incorporating the family and holidays. On mothers day I received a card with my baby
Tilly F.
Nov 25, 2015
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Lindsay H.
Jan 13, 2014
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B"H
my son started at Mommy and me at Gan Malibu, he was about 1 years old. He went to the pre-school for 3 years. The pre-school was a great experience for my son. He learned how to cooperate and play with other kids. My son had many great times and got a lot of support from all of the pre-school teachers.
We still go back and visit our friend's that we made during those years. I feel that Gan Pre-school gave my son a lot of tools for moving into Kindergarten. I would certainly recommend the school for anyone looking for a warm, safe place for their child to grow and get school ready
my son started at Mommy and me at Gan Malibu, he was about 1 years old. He went to the pre-school for 3 years. The pre-school was a great experience for my son. He learned how to cooperate and play with other kids. My son had many great times and got a lot of support from all of the pre-school teachers.
We still go back and visit our friend's that we made during those years. I feel that Gan Pre-school gave my son a lot of tools for moving into Kindergarten. I would certainly recommend the school for anyone looking for a warm, safe place for their child to grow and get school ready
Felicia F.
Dec 26, 2013
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A fantastic loving place that embraces kids from every religion/culture. The teachers are exceptionally creative and cutting-edge in their professional skills. My children were deeply cared about at this preschool and were academically above the bar when they entered kindergarten. This school plants the ever important seeds of a love of school, learning, discovery and interest in their world. Thank u Sara!
Mollie W.
Dec 26, 2013
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I really enjoy the learning approach of Gan Malibu preschool, a Jewish school that welcomes everyone. When visiting this preschool, you'll see that children are exploring and following their curiosity in the flexible school environment. As the music teacher, I am privileged to bring in a developmental approach that suits the multiple ages and varied interests of the students. The interests of the children are valued and supported via the arts and academic approaches, as well as a strong emotional component that respects the individuality of each child. Just an aside, imagine learning in
